A 22-YEAR-OLD man has died after a crash on the A31 near Ringwood

The crash happened in the early hours of this morning and closed the A31 for around seven hours.

Emergency services were called at 2.15am to the collision on the dual carriageway at Poulner in Ringwood. 

 A fatal crash on the A31 near Ringwood closed the road westbound, as well as the M27.

A silver Peugeot 406 estate and a coach operated by Poole-based company Seaview were involved.

A 22-year-old man, from Ringwood, died in the crash and his next of kin have been informed.

According to Hampshire Police no-one else was injured.

"We were called to the A31 westbound, at Poulner Hill, at 2.15am today to reports of an incident involving two vehicles," a spokesperson for the force said.

"The vehicles were a coach and a Peugeot 406.

"The driver of the Peugeot, a 22-year-old man from Ringwood, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

"His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

"Formal identification procedures are ongoing at this time."

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the incident, or anyone who saw either vehicle prior to the crash to come forward as they may have "vital information".

As a result of the incident the road was closed on the westbound side. It re-opened at around 9.30am.

In order to divert all vehicles safely, including HGVs, the westbound closure started at junction 2 of the M27.

It ended at the A31 in Ringwood.

The diversion took motorists off at junction 2 of the M27, along the A36 towards Salisbury and then on to the A338 to get back on the A31 at Ringwood.

A spokesperson from Seaview Coaches declined to comment.